The image is a SAMPLE of what the product will look like. This COLLECTIBLE is in full glorious color! This Coat of Arms combines a full color rendition(s) of the earliest coat of arms once associated with a bearer of the surname (last name) and the time tested Surname etymology; a history of the name and its origins throughout the ages. It includes the ancient origin of the name, spelling variations, early movement of the surname during the Middle Ages, noteworthy bearers from around 1400AD or earlier up to current day, and first settlers in North America. There are different variations of Coat of Arms for each surnmame and the one we use is the oldest registered Coat of Arms verified in history.

The History of Heraldry: Heraldry, in its broad meaning, traditionally had to do with the functions of a herald. A herald is one whose duty it was to announce tournaments, carry messages from one manor to another and record the various insignia borne by individuals. Heraldry arose almost spontaneously in Medieval Europe around the 12th Century, coinciding with the development of armor, and the time of the crusades.

Practical Origins: In battle, a knight, clad in armor from head to toe, would barely recognize friend from foe. Imagine if you will, a warriors face, invisible, behind closed helmets, and you may well appreciate why a new method of instant recognition became necessary. In addition, changes in the methods of waging war also demanded instant recognition. This resulted in distinctive insignia's being painted on the knight's shield and embroidered on his surcoat, which were the only means by which the warrior could be identified. It is generally accepted that these innovations led to the beginnings of heraldry.

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